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A family is grieving the loss of two young girls in a car crash in Bristol and the family still has questions about the deadly collision (Published Monday, Dec. 14, 2015)

A Meriden mom driving home after a late shift at work was involved in a crash that killed her two young daughters shortly after midnight Sunday, according to family members.

Police and family identified the children as Veronica Martinez, 7, and her sister, Ivette Martinez, 4, both of Meriden, who were riding in the back seat of the car with their mother, Kayla Torres, 31, of Meriden, at the wheel. Another family member, Miguel Melendez, 35, of New Britain, was also in the car.

The girls were killed after the car crossed over the yellow center line on Middle Street near Pinebrook Terrace in Bristol and struck an oncoming car around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, according to police.

"They were innocent. They were full of life. They looked up to their mother as a single parent who took care and went above and beyond measures for her girls," said Sheena Melendez, a cousin of Torres.

Family members said they believe Torres actually swerved in an effort to avoid the oncoming car. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash and said no charges have been filed or tickets issued.

The children's mother was taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries and is in stable condition. Torres is still recovering at Saint Francis Hospital and is in stable condition, according to Melendez, who said Torres had recently become a nurse and works from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The family said Torres picked up her kids on the way home from work before the crash.

The children were pronounced dead shortly after being admitted to Bristol Hospital. The front-seat passenger, another family member, was airlifted by LifeStar. Family members said both surviving family members hope to be released this week.

Everyone was wearing seatbelts.

The driver and front seat passenger of the other vehicle, a Ford Windstar, were also seriously injured. Police said the driver, Michael S. Luponio, 26, of Southington, was taken to Hartford Hospital and is in stable condition and the passenger, Jonathan V. Oquendo-Cruz, 23, of Waterbury, was transported to a hopspitall in Waterbury and is in stable condition.